An Armenian tipple (Kilikia Beer)

Member Name: dangaroo

Product:	Kilikia Beer
Date:	19/05/09 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tastewise it's ok if you like it bitter

Disadvantages: Bit weak, smell and aftertaste is not wonderful

No matter what the Yerevan brewery tell you or many a proud Armenian would be keen to tell you, Armenia do not have a long history of brewing beer. Kilikia is probably witness to that, their most commercial lager is Kilikia. It comes most commonly in a regular 0.5 litre bottle, one which isn't particularly rounded. When poured it is ayellow colour, rather like wee only hazier.

There is little head, it's quite a flat beer generally although it does seem a bit better on the pump. Kilikia has a hint of typical Euro lager about it but on the other hand it's obviously not a typical Central or Western European beer and is typical of the kind you'd find in Ukraine, Russia or indeed outside of Europe altogether - Turkey and perhaps even Egypt.

Tastewise it's far from amazing but it's not a tragedy either, rather bitter tasting - the smell is a little offputting and it does leave a cacky aftertaste but whilst your drinking it there is a nice taste of malt and hops. It's a little on the weak side for an average lager for me but at 4.7%, it's not the end of the world either. I preferred Kilikia Dark and also Gyumri Shirak but it's not hard to see why it's Armenia's most popular beer.

Summary: Not too bad but not brilliant